UC-NRLF 


3M7 


THE 
WIPE  OF  MAROBIUS 

By 

Max  Ehrmann 


GIFT   OF 


THE    WIFE    OF    MAROBIUS 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 

BY 

MAX  EHRMANN 

The  Wife  of  Marobius  is  strongly  dramatic  and 
beautifully  simple. — New  York  Evening  Mail. 

Not  often  is  the  secret  of  a  woman's  emotional  na 
ture  revealed  as  clearly  as  in  this  drama  of  love  and 
passion. — Pittsburg  Press. 

This  story  is  true  to-day  and  forever. — Seattle 
Times. 

Max  Ehrmann  reveals  the  rich  quality  of  his 
genius  in  The  Wife  of  Marobius. — Milwaukee  Wis 
consin. 

This  is  a  bold  theme.  Emotion  rises  to  the  in- 
tensest  pitch,  but  the  poet  rises  with  it,  and  no  false 

note  is  struck Ehrmann  has  produced  a 

notable  piece  of  literature. — Indianapolis  News. 

A  moving  and  poignant  tragedy,  a  play  that  is  at 
once  poetic  and  dramatic. — Chicago  Evening  News. 

It  is  intense  and  exalted;  a  play  of  palpitant  power, 
in  which  barbaric  passion  breathes  through  verse 
of  splendid  texture. — Pittslmrg  Gazette  Times. 

It  is  a  study  of  sensuous  beauty,  warm  with  life 
and  movement,  and  with  a  genuine  feeling  for  the 
tears  of  things  expressed  in  music  woven  out  of 
shadow  and  the  reverses  of  the  spirit.  It  has  beauty 
and  life. — Boston  Transcript. 

In  The  Wife  of  Marobius  this  gifted  author  displays 
his  genius  in  a  new  and  brilliant  light.  There  is  in 
the  play  a  dignity  of  style,  a  notable  eloquence  of 
expression,  and  a  dramatic  intensity  that  are  tremen 
dously  compelling. — Buffalo  Courier. 

It  is  marked  with  passion  and  intensity;  and  is 
powerfully  dramatic. — San  Francisco  Bulletin. 

How  I  should  love  to  play  it!  Really  it  is  full  of 
great,  great  chances. — William  Faversham. 

Here  are  a  fine  and  sure  sense  of  technique,  a 
subtle  understanding  of  the  feminine  mind,  and  a 
noble  feeling  for  beauty  at  once  sensuous  and  moral. 
—The  Drama. 


THE 

WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


A  PLAY 


BY 

MAX   EHRMANN 


NEW  YORK 

MITCHELL  KENNERLEY 
MCMXI 


Copyright  iqu  by 
Mitchell  Kennerley 


Press  of  J.  J.  Link  &  Ives  Company 

East  Twenty-fourth  Street 

New  York 


THE   WIFE    OF    MAROBIUS 


i 

1 


PERSONS 

MAROBIUS,    a   Roman  general. 
CLODIA,  his  wife. 
LYDIA,  an  old  nurse. 

TIME:  58  B.  C. 


The  Wife  of  Marobius 

PLACE:  An  antechamber  to  CLODIA'S  bed 
room  in  the  house  of  MAROBIUS  at  Rome. 
Around  the  walls  hang  seven  lamps  of  gold. 
The  ceiling  is  traversed  by  beams  bound  with 
bands  of  silver  and  gold.  On  each  side  of  the 
room  stands  a  marble  pillar  from  which  project 
two  candlesticks  of  seven  arches.  At  back  there 
is  a  window  screened  by  bronze  shutters,  be 
neath  and  at  the  sides  of  which  the  wall  is 
embedded  with  precious  stones,  pearl,  jade  and 
onyx.  Against  part  of  the  back  wall  hangs 
gold  woven  tapestry.  A  citrus  table  stands  in 
the  centre  of  the  room;  and  a  couch  at  right. 
There  is  a  door  at  left  and  a  door  at  right.  On 
the  wall  near  the  door  at  left  is  attached  a  clus 
ter  of  Greek  and  Barbarian  weapons,  daggers, 
spears,  and  swords.  From  the  ceiling  hangs  a 
small  bell  of  hammered  gold.  The  furnishings 
glitter  in  the  light  of  the  two  burning  lamps. 
CLODIA  is  walking  across  the  room.  It  is  past 
midnight. 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


[Enter  LYDIA] 

LYDIA 

I  thought  that  you  would  be  asleep  ere  now. 


CLODIA 
I  tried  to  sleep,  but  tossed  and  tossed  again. 

LYDIA 

You  should  lie  still  and  sleep  will  come.    The 

night 
Is  still,  the  house  is  still,  but  we  yet  stir. 

CLODIA 

To  me  the  night  is  full  of  ugly  noise; 
You  say  the  night  is  still? 

LYDIA 

No  sound  at  all, 
Save  now  and  then  a  wind  that  moves  the  leaves. 

CLODIA 

Then  must  the  noise  be  in  myself. 

8 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


LYDIA 

Perhaps. 

CLODIA 
I  am  all  tumult  like  a  waterfall. 

LYDIA 

You  should  lie  still  and  sleep  will  come  ere 

long, 
Sleep  is  so  strange  a  thing. 

CLODIA 

Is  it  so  strange? 

I  think  the  moving  night  is  far  more  strange. 
To  you  it  has  no  motion  and  no  sound; 
To  me  it  is  a  noisy,  crowded  street; 
A  city  full  of  misty,  moving  shapes. 

LYDIA 

These  things  are  in  yourself.    Be  still  awhile, 
And  you  shall  see  how,  like  a  loving  nurse, 
Sweet  sleep  will  soothe  and  kiss  your  tired  eyes. 

9 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


CLODIA 

[Taking  a  seat  near  the  table] 
Last  night  I  had  a  dream  that  was  like  death, 
So  terrible  was  the  fear  it  wrought  in  me. 
I  thought  I  lay  in  there  beside  my  husband 
[Pointing  to  the  right] 
And  slept,  as  was  my  joy  in  other  times. 
A  hand  plucked  at  my  gown  and  wakened  me ; 
And  with  my  eyes  wide  open  I  beheld 
My  husband  lying  headless  by  my  side. 
I  thought  I  tried  to  move  and  cry  aloud, 
Yet  could  do  naught  but  look  upon  his  corpse. 
Then  it  seemed  we  lay  out  in  the  garden, 
Still  side  by  side,   his  headless  form   and  I; 
And  plainly  could  I  hear  his  moaning  voice 
Come  from  the  grassy  earth! 

LYDIA 

What  said  the  voice? 

CLODIA 

I  could  not  tell,  so  inarticulate 
The  sound,  yet  anger  and  a  deep  despair 
Commingled  strangely. 

10 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


LYDIA 
Were  you  mucH  afraid? 

CLODIA 

A  hundred  times  I  died  within  the  dream, 
It  was  as  if  his  head  rebelled  its  fate, 
And  sought  to  issue  from  the  grassy  earth. 
I  thought  his  pallid  lips  arose  at  last 
And  mingled  with  the  leaves  of  tender  green, 
Which  spat  forth  yellow  flame  and  hissed  the 

while. 

Then  came  that  rolling  sea  of  stormy  dream 
That  drowns  all  sense  of  earthly  form  and 

color, 

A  moving  world  of  nothing  seen  or  heard, 
Yet  moving,  swiftly  rushing  on  and  on. 
When  I  awoke  I  should  have  cried  aloud, 
But  terror  held  my  throat  and  quenched  the 

sound. 

LYDIA 

Dear   mistress,    drive    away   these    darkened 

thoughts ; 

For  all  is  still  save  now  and  then  the  wind 
ii 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


That  moves  the  leaves.     The  night  was  made 

for  sleep. 
It  is  the  cooling  balm  of  fevered  minds. 

CLODIA 

What  meaning  can  there  be  in  such  a  dream? 
Is  it  a  message  from  the  kinder  gods 
To  give  me  warning  of  approaching  ill? 
Or  does  some  dark  corruption  in  myself 
Make   sick  with  fear  this  helmsman  of  my 
sleep  ? 

LYDIA 

No  meaning  can  there  be  in  hapless  dreams. 

CLODIA 
Said  you  a  wind  was  whining  in  the  trees? 

LYDIA 
A  gentle  wind.    I  cannot  hear  it  now. 

CLODIA 

There  I    It  is  whining  in  the  cypress  trees. 
[Goes  to  the  window  and  looks  out] 

12 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


LYDIA 
Come,  come,  dear  mistress,  think  such  thoughts 

no  more. 
Your  eyes  are  bright  as  noon,  but  should  be 

dull, 
That  sleep  might  close  them  up. 

CLODIA 

[Listening  at  the  window}  Hear,  Lydia! 

It  tells  some  sadden  story  fraught  with  pain. 
The   night   awakes  the   slumbering   things   of 

day. 

Perhaps  it  is  the  wind  now  on  his  round 
To  wake  the  trees  that  babble  through  their 

leaves. 

This  room  is  filled  with  living  things  by  night ; 
They  whisper  in  my  ears,  and  some  cry  "hist!" 
[Pointing  to  the  bell  suspended  from  the  cell- 
Ing] 

And,  Lydia,  that  piece  of  hammered  gold 
Has  more  unending  terror  in  its  tongue 
Than  all  the  torments  of  the  wicked  dead. 
How  often  it  has  called  me  forth  to  shame ! 

13 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


I  think  each  moment  it  will  cry  aloud 
And  send  me  forth  to  him,  for  'tis  the  night 
That  I  am  wont  to  barter  for  my  bread. 
I  am  a  harlot  in  my  husband's  house; 
My  body  does  he  love  but  not  my  soul. 
The  food  I  eat  is  paid  for  by  my  flesh. 
I  cannot  live  through  it  another  night; 
My  tongue  will  cry  aloud  against  my  will. 

LYDIA 
I  would  it  pleased  you  more. 

CLODIA 
[Startled]  What  sound  is  that? 

LYDIA 
I  hear  no  sound. 

CLODIA 

I  heard  it  plainly — there! 

LYDIA 

Perhaps  some  slave  is  walking  in  his  room. 
14 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


CLODIA 

Perhaps  some  slave  is  walking  in  his  sleep. 
No,  it  is  there,  up  in  the  gloomy  trees — 
A  flutter  as  of  wings. 

LYDIA 

I  cannot  hear. 
Perhaps  a  bird  has  fallen  from  his  nest. 

CLODIA 

There  are  some  birds  that  fly  abroad  at  night 
And  sing  a  wailing  song  as  from  the  tomb. 

LYDIA 

[Softly  stroking  her  hair~\ 

Come,    mistress,    banish    all    these    darkened 

thoughts, 
And  sleep,  else  dawn  will  find  you  pale  and 

weak. 

CLODIA 

I  would  stay  here  and  have  you  talk  to  me. 
Again  I  hear  the  noise.  O  that  my  mind 
Did  cease  to  note  each  passing  breath  of  sound! 

15 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


LYDIA 
It  is  some  slave  that  walks  within  the  house. 

CLODIA 

Go  to  his  room  and  see  if  he's  within. 
If  he  but  sleeps ! 

LYDIA 
[Surprised] 

Go  to  the  master's  room? 

CLODIA 

Yes,  I  would  kno^v  if  he  is  fast  asleep. 
Then  shall  I  yield  myself  unto  the  night; 
And  you  will  lie  by  me,  as  long  ago. 

LYDIA 
But  should  he  wake  and  find  me  spying  him? 

CLODIA 
Invent  some  answer  should  he  question  you. 

LYDIA 

I  cannot  think  what  answer  I  should  make. 

16 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


CLODIA 
Say  that  you  came  to  fill  the  lamps  with  oil. 

LYDIA 
At  such  an  hour  as  this? 

CLODIA 

Or  that  you  thought 

You  heard  him  speak,  and  came  to  learn  his 
want. 

LYDIA 

Attendants  lie  almost  beside  his  bed. 

CLODIA 
Or  say  you  lost  your  way.     The  night  is  dark. 

LYDIA 

No  answer  will  I  form,  but  go  at  once, 
That  you  may  sleep  and  be  yourself  again. 

CLODIA 

See,  I  would  sacrifice  you,  Lydia — 
Good  Lydia,  so  much  am  I  distraught. 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


LYDIA 

And  should  he  wake  and  punish  me  with  words, 
Or  think  I  am  some  thief  come  in  the  night, 
I  shall  not  fear,  so  kind  is  he  to  me. 
[LYDIA  goes  of  at  left.     CLODIA  lights  more 
lamps.     There  is  a  noise  as  if  something 
had  fallen.    Presently  LYDIA  re'enters] 

CLODIA 

What  sound  was  that?     He  woke  and  looked 
on  you? 

LYDIA 

While  groping  in  the  dark  I  fell. 

CLODIA 

Speak,  speak! 
You  saw  him  in  his  bed? 

LYDIA 

I  saw  him  not. 

CLODIA 

You  looked  inside  his  room? 

18 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


LYDIA 

He  was  not  there. 
CLODIA 

Then  wanders  he  still  somewhere  in  the  night, 
Or  lounges  drinking  at  some  festive  board. 
Whose  feast  is  it  to-night? 

LYDIA 

I  know  of  none. 
And  yet  I  heard  one  whispered  of  to-day. 

CLODIA 
Is  there  an  undertone  of  whispers  here? 

LYDIA 

Yes,  but  rebellion  makes  no  sound  in  it. 
Why  all  the  lamps  aglow  in  dead  of  night? 

CLODIA 

That  there  may  be  no  visions  in  the  room, 
No  uninvited  guests  to  torment  me. 

19 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


LYDIA 
Come,  come,  must  I  grow  stern  with  you  and 

chide, 

As  when  a  child  you  lay  within  my  arms  ? 
Long  has  the  hour  of  early  sleep  passed  by, 
But  we  yet  stir  with  all  our  lamps  aglow. 

CLODIA 

I  cannot  rest  till  he's  within  and  sleeps. 
[Walks  nervously  up  and  down  the  room] 

LYDIA 

And  discontent  looks  ill  upon  your  face, 

Like  some  rank  weed  spread  o'er  a  bed  of 

roses. 

O  Clodia,  come,  be  my  child  again; 
And  hear  my  words  with  faith,  as  long  ago. 
The  stories  that  I  told  you  on  my  knee 
Have  all  come  true,  as  by  some  magic  hand. 
This  is  a  house  of  glitter  and  of  dreams, 
And  you  the  mistress  of  this  shining  land, 
Where  noonday  may  be  kindled  in  the  night, 
So  bright  the  lustre  of  these  lamps  of  gold. 

2O 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


And  you  are  decked  as  if  some  youthful  god 
Had  wed  you  in  the  morning  of  the  world. 
Yet  growing  discontent  eats  at  your  breast, 
And  fear  and  loathing  mingle  in  your  soul. 
See,  I  am  stern  with  you. 

CLODIA 
[Kissing  her  on  the  forehead]    And  I  forgive. 

LYDIA 

I  now  remember  when  he  came  for  you, 
And  how  I  thought  that  you  must  part  from 

me, 

When  lo!  he  packed  me  up  and  laughing  said 
Our   nests  unharmed  should   still  be   side   by 

side. 
So  did  he  wed  us  both. 

CLODIA 

Hark!   Heard  you  that — 
Out  there? 

LYDIA 

I  nothing  heard  but  our  own  words. 
21 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


CLODIA 

The  cypress  trees  are  crying  out  again. 
[Goes  to  the  window  and  looks  out] 
How  strange  the  dark!     Come  here  and  see 

how  strange. 

What  flecks  of  light  are  these  that  dot  the 
sky? 

LYDIA 

It  is  the  moonlight  breaking  through  the  clouds. 

CLODIA 
I  would  the  dawn  were  here  and  I  had  slept. 

LYDIA 

[Pointing  to  the  ceiling] 

He'll  sound  the  bell  if  he  desires  you. 

Are  you  not  young  and  lithe  ajid  full  of  life? 

'Tis  time  you  bloomed,  it  is  your  early  sum 
mer. 

Now  look  on  me,  how  old  and  brown  I  am. 

But  once  I,  too,  was  young  and  loved  and 
lived. 

And  when  the  moon  shines  on  a  summer  night, 
22 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


I  wish  I  could  turn  back  the  wheel  of  time, 
Awake  the  withered  leaves  of  summers  gone, 
And  listen  to  sweet  whispers  in  my  ear. 
Sometimes  I  dream  that  I  am  young  again, 
And  wake  and  weep  to  find  that  I  but  dreamed. 
O,  I  would  heed  the  sound  that  sent  me  forth 
To  him  my  eager  husband 

CLODIA 

Pray  forbear. 
[A  noise  is  heard] 
Was  that  an  outer  door? 

LYDIA 

I  think  it  was. 

[Listening  at  door  at  right] 
The  master  is  within  his  house  at  last. 

CLODIA 
[Nervously] 

If,  Lydia,  by  chance  the  bell  should  fall, 
Or  were  its  tongue  drawn  out,  it  could  not 

sound 

See  how  its  coat  of  gold  needs  burnishing, 
23 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


The  dust  of  many  days  lies  on  its  back. 
Can  you  not  improvise  an  accident, 
And  dash  it  down,  and  say  'twas  yesterday, 
And  you  forgot  to  make  report  of  it? 

LYDIA 

Good  mistress,  yield  yourself  no  more  to  fear; 
The  moments  pass  and  there  is  silence  still; 
And  soon  we  two  shall  softly  fall  asleep. 
Did  you  not  say  that  I  should  lie  by  you, 
As  long  ago? 

CLODIA 

Yes,  I  have  need  of  you, 
To  drive  away  the  shapes  that  pluck  at  me. 

LYDIA 

Just  so  it  was  when  you  were  but  a  child 
And  had  o'er-played,  all  fitful  was  your  sleep; 
Or  when  a  little  glutton  you  had  been, 
And  stole  the  sweets  that  were  forbidden  you. 
O  would  that  we  could  live  it  all  again ! 
24 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


CLODIA 

'Tis  echoed  in  my  heart  a  thousand  times. 
I  would  give  all  the  woman  that  I  am 
To  see  once  more  the  clouds  as  they  appeared 
In  that  old  time,  and  kiss  the  perfumed  air 
That  tossed  my  tresses  in  a  hundred  ways. 
But  now  I  walk  in  fear  as  one  condemned. 
O  nurse — how  strange  that  old  name  sounds ! 

LYDIA 

To  me 
There  is  no  sweeter  name. 

CLODIA 

[Seating  herself  again']         In  that  old  garden 
Of  painted  dreams  my  childhood  left  its  soul. 
Sometimes  the  child  I  was  comes  back  to  me, 
And  I  stretch  forth  my  arms  to  hold  it  fast. 
For  one  brief  moment  all  the  world  is  changed: 
The  lure  of  twilight  shadows  in  the  evening, 
The  pallid  gold  of  summer  moons  long  past, 
Again  enchant  me  with  forgotten  peace. 

25 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


LYDIA 

Not  so  long  past,  for  you  are  still  a  child, 
And  I  shall  wake  you  with  my  hand  to-night, 
If    some    unwholesome    dream    distress    your 
sleep. 

CLODIA 

O  that  your  kindly  touch  might  waken  me 
From  dreams  that  look  into  my  open  eyes! 

LYDIA 
Good  mistress,  come,  let  us  to  bed. 

CLODIA 

Not  yet, 
Some  moments  still  must  pass  ere  we  lie  down. 

LYDIA 

Your  voice   is   charged   again  with  saddened 

tones, 
A  moment  since  it  had  a  sweeter  sound. 

CLODIA 

You  led  me  o'er  the  paths  of  yesterday, 

26 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


And  memory  joined  my  childish  hand  to  yours; 
I  saw  the  sky  rest  on  a  sleeping  hill, 
And  heard  the  murmur  of  the  meadow  winds, 
It  was  my  dawn,  my  springtime  morning  hour. 

LYDIA 

Ah!  now  your  voice  is  sweet  again.     Good 

child 

[The  bell  of  hammered  gold  upon  the  ceiling 

faintly    rings.     LYDIA    goes    toward    the 

right'] 

CLODIA 
[Arises,  startled} 

Wait!     You  need  not  hasten. 

LYDIA 

I  hasten  not, 

[LYDIA  enters  the  room  on  the  right,  and  re- 
-,         turns  at  once  with  a  sleeping-gown} 

LYDIA 

[Unbuttoning  the  gown] 

How  chill  these  pearls  must  feel  against  the 
flesh! 

27 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


More  pale  are  they  than  lilies  of  the  field, 
More  pale  than  is  this  dress  of  woven  air — 
This  dress  of  lawful  pleasure  and  of  dream. 
'Tis  ready  now 

CLODIA 
I  will  not  put  it  on. 

LYDIA 

Immodest  would  it  be  to  go  without. 
See  how  the  gold  threads  sparkle  in  the  light, 
And  hear  the  whisper  of  the  shining  folds. 
These  gold  threads  dazzle  me. 

CLODIA 

They  sicken  me. 

LYDIA 

[Holding  up  the  gown} 

It  waits  for  you  to  give  it  form  and  life. 

CLODIA 

It  is  a  shroud  that  brings  decay  and  death. 
28 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


LYDIA 

Nay,  say  not  so.     Upon  your  face  a  rose 
Breaks   into   bloom    and   paints   your   tender 
cheek. 

CLODIA 
It  is  the  rose  of  shame  and  not  desire. 

LYDIA 
The  time  goes  quickly  by.     He  waits  for  you. 

CLODIA 
I  will  not  put  it  on. 

LYDIA 

In  all  the  world 
It  is  the  honored  custom  and  the  law. 

CLODIA 
[Boldly] 

Too  often  have  I  sacrificed  myself 
Upon  the  altar  of  the  hated  law, 
Which  bids  me  eat  the  fruit  that  sickens  me, 
Denies  me  drink  when  I  am  much  athirst. 
But  now  I  think  there  is  another  law, 
29 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


Wrought  not  by  men,  but  by  immortal  gods, 
Which  bids  me  be  myself  and  walk  erect. 

LYDIA 

You  are  a  ruler  in  this  house  of  gold, 
Set  up  by  him  upon  this  mighty  throne. 

CLODIA 
I  am  a  slave  within  this  house  of  flesh. 

LYDIA 

My  child,  you  vex  yourself  with  sophistry. 
The  time  goes  quickly  by.    He  waits  for  you, 

CLODIA 
Forbear  to  urge  me,  for  my  flesh  is  weak. 

LYDIA 
He  is  so  good.    How  can  you  tarry  here? 

CLODIA 
[Anxiously] 
Go  you  to  him,  and  say  that  I  am  ill, 

30 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


That  I  have  tossed  these  hours  in  sleeplessness, 
Do  not  delay,  I  bid  you  go  at  once. 
Good  Lydia,  you  do  not  understand. 
I  am  now  being  born  again,  and  come 
Afresh  into  this  breathing  world.    Go,  go ! 

LYDIA 
I  cannot  say  in  truth  that  you  are  ill. 

CLODIA 
Then  say  to  him  I  do  not  come  to-night. 

LYDIA 

That  shall  I  say,  and  then  come  back  to  you— < 
Bluntly  as  you  have  said  it  now. 

CLODIA 

Wait,  wait ! 
LYDIA 
Then  you  will  go  to  him? 

CLODIA 
[Approaching  the  door  at  nghl\ 

No,  no,  listen! 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


Some  one  is  passing  to  and  fro  outside, 
Some  one  is  passing  near  our  door.    Or  do 
I  hear  the  wind  up  in  the  cypress  trees? 
My  mind  is  full  of  motion  and  of  sound. 

LYDIA 
'Tis  true,  some  one  is  coming  toward  our  door. 

CLODIA 
But  now  I  think  the  sound  grows  fainter. 

LYDIA 

Yes. 

CLODIA 

I  loathe  this  prowling  in  the  dead  of  night, 
This  watching,  waiting  to  collect  a  debt. 

LYDIA 

I  shall  at  once  to  him  and  give  your  message. 

[She  lays  the  sleeping-gown  over  a  chair,  and 

goes   out  at  left.     Some  moments    elapse 

while  CLODIA  quenches  the  lights  until  only 

two  are  burning.     As  she  goes  toward  the 

32 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


remaining  lamps,  the  left  door  opens  softly 
and  MAROBIUS  enters'] 

CLODIA 
Oh! 

MAROBIUS 

[Standing  by  the  door} 
Do  not  startle.     It  is  I. 

CLODIA 

You  frightened  me.     I  thought  'twas  Lydia. 
You  saw  her? 

MAROBIUS 
Yes,  and  sent  her  off  to  bed. 

CLODIA 
Delivered  she  the  message  that  I  sent? 

MAROBIUS 

Sne  stammered  that  you  would  not  come  to  me. 
But  see,  I  come  to  you ! 
33 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


CLODIA 

Whose  steps  were  those 
I  heard  a  moment  since  outside  the  door? 
So  stealthily  they  came  and  went  again, 
I  thought  at  first  it  was  the  wind  at  play. 

MAROBIUS 

I  sent  to  learn  if  you  were  still  awake. 
This  room  was  found  aglow  with  many  lights. 
Since  you  come  not  to  me,  I  come  to  you, 
To  feel  your  light,  woman  of  all  women. 

CLODIA 
[Aside} 
O  had  I  let  in  darkness  ere  he  came! 

MAROBIUS 

[Still  standing  by  the  door} 

Spoke  you  to  me?    I  understood  you  not. 

Am  I  unwelcome  in  your  room  of  gold? 

CLODIA 

Who  shall  say  "no"  to  you  in  your  own  house? 
Here  do  I  live  by  sufferance  of  you. 
34 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


My  life  is  but  a  moving  ornament 

Amid  these  pearl  and  gold  embedded  walls. 

MAROBIUS 

You  are  too  solemn.    Pray  convert  your  mood 
To  cheerfulness.    We  two  are  here  alone, 
No  tedious  guests  to  keep  us  from  ourselves. 
[Goes  toward  her~\ 

I  would  infold  you  now — my  wife,  my  wife  I 
And  feel  you  close — O,  very  close  to  me ! 
Perpetual  dew  keeps  moist  your  tender  lips, 
And  were  I  dead  your  kiss  would  waken  me. 

CLODIA 

[Moving  away] 

Wait,  wait !  not  sudden  thus,  'tis  long  ere  dawn. 
Since  early  night  I  seem  to  hear  a  sound 
Up  in  the  cypress  trees — not  like  the  wind; 
Yet  Lydia  supposed  it  was  the  wind. 
Think  you  the  wind  can  speak  like  human  lips? 

MAROBIUS 

Have  you  not  slept? 

35 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


CLODIA 

The  whispers  in  the  night 
Have  kept  me  wake  with  their  unending  noise. 

MAROBIUS 

As  you  so  quickly  move  about,  I  think 

I  have  not  seen  a  deer  more  lithe  than  you, 

So  agile  are  your  limbs,  so  swift  your  eyes. 

Your  hair  is  full  of  sleep  and  full  of  dream; 

It  is  a  sunlit  fall  of  golden  water, 

A  rushing  torrent  made  of  liquid  gold; 

'Tis  softer  than  a  midnight  summer  wind 

Upon  the  hungry  lips  of  eager  love; 

And  when  at  first  I  twined  it  round  my  face, 

I  felt  the  passion  of  the  gods. 

[Goes  toward  her] 

CLODIA 
[Moving  away] 

Wait,  wait. 

MAROBIUS 

You  are  a  flower  that  blooms  in  quiet  night, 
So  fragrant  that  it  thrills  me  through. 

36 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


CLODIA 

Wait,  wait. 

Listen !     It  is  the  whispers  in  the  trees, 
It  is  the  moaning  in  the  trees  out  there. 

MAROBIUS 
'Tis  but  the  wind  that  tosses  up  the  leaves. 

CLODIA 
I  hear  a  sound  more  human-like  than  wind. 

MAROBIUS 

[Goes  to  the  window  and  looks  out'] 
Nothing  but  moving  air  disturbs  the  night. 
A  little  bird  are  you  to  frighten  thus, 
A  little  bird  with  burnished  marble  breast. 
Come  to  me,  sing  your  breath  into  my  face; 
Your  breath  like  sweetened  poison  thrills  me 

through. 
[Goes  toward  her] 

CLODIA 

[Moving  away] 

Wait,  wait;  I  still  am  trembling  in  my  limbs. 
First  tell  me  of  the  feast  to-night. 
37 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


MAROBIUS 

The  feast! 

As  stupid  as  a  race  won  ere  'tis  run. 
I  would  forget  it  and  would  feast  with  you. 

CLODIA 
Pray  tell  me  what  was  said 

MAROBIUS 

[Sits  down]  But  stupid  things : 

One  told,  with  great  gusto,  an  ancient  tale 
I  heard  when  yet  a  boy;  another,  old 
With  wine  and  too  much  food,  proclaimed  his 

ills, 

A  swelling  every  morning  in  his  legs. 
A  youth  talked  much  of  love  and  much  more 

drank- 
[Begins  to  arise] 

CLODIA 
No,  no;  there  is  much  more  to  tell. 

MAROBIUS 

Another, 

38 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


Our  fat,  complaining  guest  of  yesternight, 
Explained  in  great  detail  the  foods  he  ate, 
The  foods  he  could  not  eat,  in  short,  the  virtues 
Of  his  stomach  and  the  perils  of  foods. 
One   ate   too   much   of  quince,   grew  deathly 

ill, 

Was  taken  home,  and  laughed  at  as  he  went. 
All   fools  they  were,  more  foolish  made  by 

wine. 

CLODIA 
Was  there  no  noble  thought  expressed? 

MAROBIUS 

Not  one. 

Yet  I  am  little  judge  of  noble  thoughts. 
My  eyes  are  better  trained  than  is  my  mind; 
And  when  they  look  on  you  they  see  naught 

else, 
The  world  is  strangely  dimmed  as  if  'twould 

rain. 

Why  are  your  lips  so  red,  your  flesh  so  white — 
Whiter  than  lilies  grown  beneath  a  glass — 
Whiter  than  marble  brought  from  Africa? 

39 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


CLODIA 

Always  of  my  body,  but  not  my  soul 
You  speak. 

MAROBIUS 

It  is  a  sapling  laurel  tree, 
And  I  a  stormy  wind  that  bends  it  down. 
Your  saffron  hair  is  like  Assyrian  silk, 
Like  sheets  of  water  that  the  winds  distress. 
[Rises  and  goes  toward  her} 

CLODIA 

[Avoiding  him} 
Wait,  wait;  I  beg  more  time. 

MAROBIUS 

[Stops']  More  time? 

CLODIA 

More  time — 

To  tell  a  fearful  dream  of  yesternight. 
I  am  your  slave  and  ask  more  time. 

MAROBIUS 

My  slave  ? 
Your  lips  alone  dare  call  you  slave  of  mine. 

[Sits  down] 

40 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


CLODIA 
What  meaning  can  there  be  in  fearful  dreams? 

MAROBIUS 

Saw  you  some  ugly  thing  that  frightened  you — 
That  made  you  hide  your  head  beneath  your 

wing? 

Had  I  been  near  I  should  have  wakened  you, 
And  held  you  in  my  arms. 

CLODIA 

You  were  by  me. 

MAROBIUS 
I?    Yesternight? 

CLODIA 
I  saw  you  in  my  dream. 

MAROBIUS 
[Going  toward  her] 

No  ugly  thing  shall  frighten  you  to-night, 
For  I,  close  by,  will  touch  you  with  my  hand, 
And  kiss  the  velvet  softness  of  your  throat. 
41 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


CLODIA 

[Moving  away] 
Wait,  wait ! 

MAROBIUS 

[Following  her  step  by  step] 

Your  hair  shall  I  twine  round  my  face, 
And  breathe  the  perfume  of  your  breath. 

CLODIA 

No,  no ! 
MAROBIUS 

And  crush  you  in  my  arms  against  myself, 
Till  both  of  us  shall  live  as  one. 

CLODIA 

No,  no  I 
MAROBIUS 

Is  it  pursuit  that  thrills  your  heart  with  joy? 
And  must  I  catch  you  ere  I  feel  your  warmth? 
If  you  were  hid  within  a  darkened  house, 
The  perfume  of  your  flesh  would  cry  to  me. 
Or  were  you  lost,  so  great  is  my  desire 
That  I  could  find  you  in  a  sunless  world. 
42 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


CLODIA 
O,  do  not  touch  me  lest  I  cry  aloud! 

MAROBIUS 
[Stops] 
You  gods,  I  waken!    You  repulse  me? 

CLODIA 

Yes. 
MAROBIUS 

I  am  a  fire  from  which  you  flee  in  dread? 

CLODIA 
I  fear  the  flaming  love  you  bear  my  body. 

MAROBIUS 

Woman  of  all  women,  you  repulse  me! 
Within  I  stagger  as  a  wounded  deer. 
And  yet  I  think  half-hearted  that  some  trick 
Your  words  have  played — some  trick  of  sound, 

perchance, 
[Goes  toward  her] 
That  turns  their  meaning  round.     You  steal 

away! 

43 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


[Stops] 

I  am  put  off,  condemned,  pronounced  unclean. 
Behold  my  hands!     My  touch  is  venomous. 
I  am  a  leper  found  beneath  your  bed, 
My  breath  more  poison  than  the  hemlock's 

juice; 

I  am  a  deadly  drink  of  stagnant  water, 
The  green  covering  of  a  pool  of  ooze. 
Where  my  lips  press  a  yellow  scar  is  left, 
As  if  the  juice  of  upas  trickled  there. 
My  image  sparkles  in  your  frightened  eyes, 
A  loathed  thing  with  foul  and  festered  form. 
Who  lies  abed  with  me  shall  rot  alive. 

CLODIA 

No,  no !  Your  form  is  noble  like  a  god's, 
And  pure  as  limpid  water  in  the  sun. 

MAROBIUS 

I  am  a  slimy  asp  found  in  your  bed. 

You  seek  to  soothe  the  wound  you  have  just 

made, 

And  mock  me  with  your  trembling  lips. 
44 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


CLODIA 

No,  no; 
I  only  fear  the  love  you  bear  my  body. 

MAROBIUS 
My  touch  would  sting  you  as  a  viper's  tongue. 

CLODIA 

It  would  but  chill  me  through,    O,  sadden  not ! 
I  am  an  evil  wind— 

MAROBIUS 

[Sinking  into  a  chair] 

I  am  not  sad; 
Subdued  am  I,  bowed  down,   and  thoughtful 

grown. 

Barbarian  spears  have  cruelly  rent  my  flesh, 
But  this  sword  of  yours  has  a  keener  edge. 
My  life  arises  through  the  mist  of  years, 
And  perished  memories  look  on  me  again. 
A  world  of  fancies  was  my  boyish  world, 
And  love  was  sky  and  earth  and  wind   and 

wood. 

45 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


Love  stirred  ambition  in  my  youthful  breast, 
And  sent  me  forth  to  conquest  and  to  gain. 
A  thousand  youthful  women  have  I  seen 
Who  with  their  eyes  bade  me  to  lead  them 

forth. 

Barbarian  maidens  in  Albanian  lands, 
With    dreadful    fear    consumed,    fell    on   my 

breast, 

Maidens  fresh  and  fair  as  springtime  morn 
ing, 

Fragrant,  yielding  as  a  violet  blooming, 
Iberian  women-slaves  of  tender  age, 
With  amber  hair,  Judean  maidens  crowned 
With  waving  locks  of  midnight  ebony, 
And  ruby-laden  mistresses  of  kings, 
Were  as  a  bed  of  roses  to  be  plucked. 
Yet  I  kept  myself  for  you. 

CLODIA 

Why  for  me? 

MAROBIUS 

Because  the  gods  have  formed  you  like  a  god 
dess; 

46 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


Your  flesh  is  whiter  than  the  polished  marble 
The  Greeks  have  made  to  glow  with  life.     I 

knew 
You  in  my  dreams  before  I  saw  your  face. 

CLODIA 

Always  your  eyes  are  fixed  upon  my  body. 
I  fear  the  flaming  love  you  bear  my  body. 

MAROBIUS 

A  thousand  dreadful  battles  have  I  fought, 
And  lain  in  swamps  by  the  Hyrcanian  Sea, 
By  deadly  scorpions  visited  at  night. 
Thus  gathered  I  the  glitter  of  this  house. 
These  jewel-embellished  lamps  of  beaten  gold 
Made  bright  the  enamored  evenings  of  a  king. 
Yon  seven-fingered  candlesticks  of  bronze 
Burned  in  a  temple  at  Jerusalem. 
Sweet  dreams  of  love  upbore  me  on  the  night 
I  swam  a  moaning  sea  of  poisoned  spears 
To  bring  this  tapestry  that's  stiff  with  gold. 
The  grass  of  spring  is  not  more  tender  green 
Than  is  the  jade  embedded  in  these  walls; 
47 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


Nor  autumn  leaves  more  yellow  than  the  topaz. 
See  how  the  envious  pearls,  that  sparkle  not, 
Make  solemn  faces  at  the  shining  stones. 
That  row  of  sapphire,  soft  as  summer  skies, 
Lay  on  a  youthful  princess7  snow-white  breast. 
All  this  I  brought  for  you. 

CLODIA 

To  buy  my  body, 
The  food  and  drink  your  gourmand  passion 

craves. 

MAROBIUS 

To  please  the  heart  of  her  I  saw  in  dreams, 
Who  now  repulses  me.     That  citrus  table, 
Your  snow-white  fingers  now  are  trembling  on, 
Came  o'er  the  seas  from  Africa  for  you. 
[She  lifts  her  hand  from  the  table} 
Yon  daggers,  swords,  and  spears  I  bought  with 

blood; 
Each  one  I  wrenched  from  out  the  hand  of 

death. 

I  gave  them  you.   They  were  my  choicest  gift. 
The  favorite  maiden  of  the  King  of  Pontus 
Has  worn  that  diamond  that  adorns  your  hair. 
48 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


'Tis  like  a  dewdrop  on  a  saffron  rose. 

[She  takes   the  diamond  from   her  hair  and 

lays  it  on  the  table} 

That  slender  thread  of  scarlet  pearls  you  wear 
Has  felt  the  warmth  of  fair  Statonice's  throat. 
In  all  of  Rome  there  is  none  like  to  it. 
Once  in  a  hundred  years,  I  have  been  told, 
The  miser  sea  gives  up  a  scarlet  pearl. 
[She  takes  the  pearls  from  her  throat} 
Have  I  denied  you  aught? 

CLODIA 

No,  by  the  gods, 
That  have  you  not.     With  gold  and  bronze 

and  pearl, 

Well  have  you  paid  me  o'er  and  o'er  again 
For  every  inch  of  my  defenceless  self. 
By  all  the  written  laws  I  am  your  wife; 
And  being  such,  I  am  a  loathed  thing. 
By  signs  and  sounds  of  bells  you  summon  me. 
Submission  takes  the  place  of  love's  reward. 
It  is  a  world  of  flesh  in  which  we  live. 
My  yearning  soul  you  have  not  sought  to  buy. 
I  would  have  given  it  for  love  alone. 

49 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


MAROBIUS 
Do  I  not  love  you  ? 

CLODIA 

You  love  my  body. 

You  love  the  pleasure  that  I  give  to  you. 
When   you    are    calm   you   have   no   need   of 

me; 

And  day  and  night  I  meditate  alone. 
Then  in  a  frenzied  heat  you  come  to  me; 
And  I  but  live  to  feed  your  maddened  fire. 
I  am  a  sea  your  storm-winds  beat  upon. 
I  am  the  withered  leaves  your  flames  consume. 
Your    love    is    fire    and    straining   wind    and 

storm ; 

Like  wine,  it  wakes  to  lust  your  dead  desire. 
You  dazzled  me  with  gold  and  shining  stones, 
And  led  me  to  this  house  of  lawful  shame. 
How  am  I  better  than  the  common  women 
Who  sell  themselves  for  shelter  and  for  food? 

MAROBIUS 

Are  you  not  my  wife? 
50 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


CLODIA 

You  wed  my  body, 
But  not  my  soul.     What  law  can  bind  two 

souls? 

What  ceremony  pompous  made  with  gold 
Can  lead  the  heart  to  go  where  it  will  not? 
My  timid  flesh  has  tarried  in  this  house; 
But  that  in  me  which  lived  for  love  is  dead. 
You,  master,  maker  of  my  little  world. 
You  sought  it  not. 

MAROBIUS 
'Tis  late  to  note  this  now. 

CLODIA 

What  did  I  know  of  life  upon  that  morn 
You  led  me  from  my  father's  house,  a  child. 
My  nurse,  the  sky,  my  poets  had  taught  me 

dreams. 
I  thought  you  loved  my  soul. 

MAROBIUS 

I  loved  your  soul  ? 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


Can  burning  lips  be  cooled  upon  the  soul? 
What  is  this  love  of  things  one  cannot  touch? 

CLODIA 

0  would  that  I  could  form  it  into  words 
And  give  it  understanding  in  your  mind! 
'Tis  soft  and  low  and  sweet  and  clamors  not. 
'Tis  like  the  light  of  stars  in  quiet  night, 

A  hush  and  stillness  of  the  world  within. 
'Tis  bountiful  as  is  the  harvest  time 
With  mellow  fruit,  and  yields  ere  it  is  asked. 
It  is  like  gentle  springtime  when  the  earth 
Of  her  own  self,  unforced,  yields  up  the  grass. 

MAROBIUS 

Your  soul  then  would  I  wed.    Teach  me  this 
love. 

CLODIA 
'Tis  learned  not  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye. 

MAROBIUS 

1  will  be  patient,  teach  me  step  by  step. 

52 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


CLODIA 

O,  I  have  meditated  in  the  night 
When  silence  almost  murmured  like  a  sound! 
And  gazing  long  into  the  lighted  sky, 
I  thought  the  stars  came  slowly  down  to  me ; 
Then  upward  through  the  soft  and  darkened 

world 

I  went  with  them  unto  the  ends  of  space. 
With  you  this  flight  of  soul  had  been  divine. 

MAROBIUS 
I  will  go  through  the  universe  with  you. 

CLODIA 

And  often  in  the  night  I  would  you  came 
With  heavy  heart  that  I  might  comfort  you. 
I  would  you  told  me  of  some  secret  grief 
And  found  surcease  of  sorrow  on  my  breast. 
In  evening's  quiet  hour,  beneath  the  trees, 
With  eagerness  I'd  listen  to  your  plans; 
And  we  should  wander  in  one  world  of  thought. 
When  lonely  night  comes  on  I'd  sleep  by  you, 
So  near  that  I  might  touch  you  with  my  hand. 
53 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


And   children   would   I   bear   that   have   your 

image ; 

And  you  would  ache  as  I  in  pain  brought  forth 
Sweet  roses  in  the  garden  of  my  breast — 
Appealing  lips  that  cry  and  press  for  drink, 
Whose   faintest   smile  makes  sweet   a   bitter 

world. 

My  unborn  children  have  I  seen  at  night, 
And  heard  their  feeble  cries  to  be  brought 

forth, 

That  they  might  know  the  glory  that  it  is 
To  live  and  see  the  world  with  human  eyes. 
At  night  they  whisper  in  the  cypress  trees, 
And  cry  aloud  to  me  to  be  their  mother. 
But  we  have  murdered  them — my  little  chil 
dren! 

MAROBIUS 

You  sadden  me  with  grief  till  now  unknown. 

CLODIA 
I  would  not  pain  you,  but  my  heart  is  hurt. 

MAROBIUS 

You  should  have  been  a  mother. 
54 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


CLODIA 

You  would  not 
Forgo  your  pleasure  for  a  season  brief. 

MAROBIUS 
[Rising] 

There  still  is  time. 

CLODIA 
Not  till  you  love  my  soul. 

MAROBIUS 
Your  words  are  piercing  as  a  slender  sword. 

CLODIA 

At  first  I  feared  you.    Now  no  more  I  fear, 
For  sorrow  sits  upon  your  heavy  soul 
And  darkens  all  the  chambers  of  your  house. 
It  will  draw  me  to  you  again. 

MAROBIUS 

You  will 

Not  flee  from  me  if  I  come  to  you  now? 
[Takes  her  in  his  arms] 

55 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


CLODIA 

No,  kiss  me  not  until  I  come  to  you: 
And  then  we  two  shall  wander  through  the 

world; 

And  you  will  know  the  bliss  of  loving  me, 
When  I  shall  breathless  run  into  your  arms. 

MAROBIUS 

I   would  that   now   your   lips   were   touching 

mine. 

Mine  are  a  burning  field  and  yours  a  rain, 
A  famished  beggar  gazing  on  a  feast. 

CLODIA 
No,  no;  not  yet;  my  heart  still  beats  in  pain. 

MAROBIUS 
O,  loath  am  I  so  soon  to  let  you  go ! 

CLODIA 

Love  but  my  soul,  the  part  of  me  not  flesh, 
And  you  shall  see  my  body  run  to  you. 

56 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


MAROBIUS 

The  dawn  of  this  new  love  breaks  through  my 
night. 

CLODIA 

Be  patient,  not  so  quickly  is  it  taught; 
Yet  am  I  filled  with  joy  that  you  will  learn, 
That  you  will  sit  with  me  in  night's  still  hours, 
And  live  with  me   your  life   of  thought,    as 

mine 
Henceforth  I  live  with  you.     What  sound  is 

this 

That  like   sweet  music  trembles  through  the 
night  ? 
[Faint  music  is  heard] 

MAROBIUS 

I  bade  my  servants  softly  touch  the  lute 
When  I  had  been  with  you  a  measured  time, 
That  I,  returning,  might  be  cheered  by  sound. 

CLODIA 

[Drawing  slowly  away  from  him] 
57 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


This  is  a  new  caprice  your  hunger  craves. 
Yet  sweet  this  whispered  music  in  the  night; 
It  brings  some  cheer  into  my  heart. 

MAROBIUS 

[Seeing  her  night  robe  lying  on  the  chair] 

Your  robe! 

O,  put  it  on  before  I  go,  that  I 
May  look  on  you  in  all  your  loveliness! 
For  one  brief  moment  fill  my  eyes  with  light, 
For  I  am  stricken  blind  and  see  you  not. 
You  are  the  sun  of  all  my  darkened  world. 
I  have  been  patient  and  will  learn  this  love 
You    told    me    of.     See    how    I    plead    with 

you, 

Like  some  vile  beggar  at  your  outer  door — 
I  who  but  yesterday  was  master  here; 
I  thirst  for  you;  I  hunger  for  your  beauty. 
My  eyes  alone  will  feel  you  with  their  sight. 
I  have  known  sabre  wounds  that  were  a  touch 
Beside  the  mortal  hurt  of  all  your  words. 
O,  put  it  on  that  I  forget  my  wounds ! 
[Takes  up  the  gown] 

58 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


CLODIA 

I  bring  you  only  grief.     Your  plaintive  words 
Are  heavy  with  their  sorrow. 

MAROBIUS 

Put  it  on, 

And  be  the  goddess  of  my  heart's  own  world. 

CLODIA 
I  am  no  goddess,  but  am  still  your  wife. 

MAROBIUS 
Put  it  on,  put  it  on,  and  bring  me  cheer ! 

CLODIA 
O,  ask  me  not  again,  else  will  I  yield! 

MAROBIUS 

[Placing  the  gown  on  her  arm} 
And  let  me  worship  you. 

CLODIA 

I  would  be  loved. 
59 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


MAROBIUS 

It  is  the  breaking  dawn  of  love's  new  day. 
Your  wondrous  beauty  mirrored  on  my  eyes, 
I'll  wander  off  to  sleep  and  dream  of  you. 

CLODIA 
Will  it  cheer  you  to  look  on  me  ? 

MAROBIUS 

Yes,  yes! 

CLODIA 

And  as  the  days  come  on  shall  we  two  learn 
The  bliss  of  our  new  love? 

MAROBIUS 

My  teacher,  you. 

CLODIA 
And  will  you  sit  by  me  at  eventide  ? 

MAROBIUS 

And  in  the  morning  twilight  kiss  your  lips, 
Subdued  by  love  that  first  is  passionless. 
60 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


CLODIA 

And  sometimes  in  the  watches  of  the  night, 
We  two  shall  meditate  upon  the  gods, 
And  think  how  beautiful  it  is  to  live. 

MAROBIUS 
tYes,  yes! 

CLODIA 

And  will  you  gladly  climb  with  me 
The  peaceful  mountains  made  of  lofty  thoughts 
That  lie  serenely  in  the  soul? 

MAROBIUS 

That  too. 
CLODIA 

Then  will  I  come  that  you  may  look  on  me. 
[She  goes  of  at  right,  closing  the  door  behind 
her.     MAROBIUS  relights  several  of  the 
lamps.    LYDIA  enters  at  left] 

LYDIA 
Master,  master! 

MAROBIUS 

I  sent  you  off  to  bed. 
61 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


LYDIA 
O  master,  do  not  look  on  her  to-night! 

MAROBIUS 
Have  you  been  listening?    Answer  me. 

LYDIA 

I— I 

MAROBIUS 
Have  you  been  listening? 

LYDIA 

Yes — behind  the  door. 
O  master,  do  not  look  on  her  to-night! 

MAROBIUS 

What   strange  anxiety  distresses  you? 
Am  I  to  bow  before  a  slave's  command? 

LYDIA 

O,  do  not  look  on  her! 
62 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


MAROBIUS 

Your  trembling  lips 
Give  forth  an  evil  sound.    Begone ! 

LYDIA 

I  go. 

MAROBIUS 

And  bid  the  music  softly  start  again, 
Not  long,  nor  loud— some  piece  of  passionate 
love; 

For  I  would  feel  delight  through  every  sense. 
You  tarry.     Shall  I  cast  you  out? 

LYDIA 

No,  no. 

[LYDIA  goes  of  at  left.  MAROBIUS  lights  more 
lamps.  Faint  music  is  heard  for  a  short 
time.  The  door  at  right  is  open  a  little] 

CLODIA 
[Within] 

O !  I  will  come  if  you  quench  all  the  lights. 
63 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


MAROBIUS 

[Quenching  some  of  the  lights'] 

How  can  I  see  if  all  the  lights  are  quenched? 

CLODIA 
One  lamp  gives  light  enough. 

MAROBIUS 

One  light  but  blinds. 

CLODIA 
Then  two  or  three. 

MAROBIUS 

O  come,  I  cannot  wait ! 

CLODIA 
I  have  no  pleasure  in  this  show  of  me. 

MAROBIUS 

O  come,  and  be  my  dawn,  and  bring  me  cheer! 
64 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


CLODIA 
You  will  not  lay  your  hands  upon  me? 

MAROBIUS 

No. 

But  with  my  eyes  I'll  touch  you  everywhere. 
[CLODIA  enters  clad  in  the  sleeping-robe.    She 
stands  by  the  door  with  eyes  cast  down] 

MAROBIUS 
You  make  the  earth  beautiful. 

CLODIA 

I  am  glad. 

MAROBIUS 

I  think  till  now  I  never  looked  on  you. 

What  amorous  god  made  you  to  glow  with 

light, 

Encircled  by  this  dress  of  woven  air  I 
You  are  a  lamp  set  in  a  silken  shade, 
A  radiant  star  set  in  a  shining  vale. 

65 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


CLODIA 

None  of  these  things  am  I  save  in  your  thought. 
If  there  is  lustre,  'tis  these  precious  stones 
And  threads  of  gold;  I  only  wear  the  dress. 
[Looking  up,  startled'} 
Your  eyes  are  glaring  like  a  fretted  beast's. 

MAROBIUS 

[Going  toward  her} 
My  eyes  could  find  you  in  a  sea  of  mist. 
Around  your  body  hovers  perfumed  air, 
As  if  the  odorous  bath  had  not  yet  dried. 

CLODIA 

[Moving  away} 
You  said  you  would  not  lay  your  hands  on  me. 

MAROBIUS 

A  thousand  fathoms  of  the  deepest  sea 
Are  not  as  deep  as  are  your  liquid  eyes. 

CLODIA 
[Weeping} 

No,  no;  I  have  done  wrong  to  lure  you  thus! 
66 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


MAROBIUS 

[Seizing  her  in  his  arms] 

And  when  you  weep  I  yearn  for  you  the  more ; 
Therefore,  I  make  you  weep  to  spur  me  on. 

CLODIA 
[Struggling] 

I  shall  cry  out! 

MAROBIUS 

My  fingers  sting  with  joy. 
Your  touch  is  cooling  like  a  running  stream. 
This  brief  embrace  will  do  no  hurt  to  you; 
It  cools  me  who  am  burning  like  a  flame. 

CLODIA 
No,  no — your  promise — stand  away  from  me ! 

MAROBIUS 

You  cannot  put  me  off,  I  hold  you  fast. 
See  how  my  lips  come  near  to  yours. 

CLODIA 

No,  no ! 
67 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


MAROBIUS 
They  are  athirst  to  drink  your  beauty. 

CLODIA 

No! 

MAROBIUS 
[Kissing  her} 
I  never  loved  you  till  this  hour. 

CLODIA 

Standoff! 

MAROBIUS 

[Kissing  her  again] 

The  more  you  struggle  the  more  I  love  you. 

CLODIA 
I  shall  shriek  out! 

MAROBIUS 

[Drawing  her  to  right,  toward  her  chamber 
door] 

I  cannot  let  you  go; 

For  every  drop  of  blood  within  my  veins 
Cries  out  for  you,  and  will  not  yield  you  up. 
68 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


CLODIA 
No,  no,  forbear  I    Your  passion  maddens  you! 

MAROBIUS 
I  burn  for  you. 

CLODIA 

You  know  not  what  you  do ; 

Your  fingers  sink  into  my  flesh!  [Calls]  Lydia! 

Your  eyes  dart  flame.    O  stay,  think!    Lydia! 

[Smothering  her  ^olce  with  his  lips,  he  draws 
her  into  her  chamber.  As  she  passes  the 
door,  endeavoring  to  stay  herself,  her  hand 
touches  the  cluster  of  weapons  hanging  on 
the  wall.  She  cleaves  to  one  of  these  as  he 
draws  her  through  the  door] 

MAROBIUS 
[Within,  amid  cries] 

Your  beauty  cools  my  burning  lips.     Be  still! 
I'll  drink  you,  crush  you,  feel  your  warmth  on 

me. 

I  cannot  let  you  go.     Be  still,  be  still, 
Else  will  I  tear  your  flesh  and  make  you  bleed. 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


You  are  my  wife;  my  wife  shall  be  my  wife! 

[There  is  a  loud  cry  within,  then  silence. 
CLODIA,  white  and  trembling,  reenters,  and 
LYDIA  enters  from  the  opposite  side] 

LYDIA 

What  noise?    I  thought  I  heard  some  one  cry 

out. 
There's  blood  upon  your  wrist ! 

CLODIA 

[Whispering]  I  scratched  myself. 

Speak  not  so  loud  lest  you  wake  up  the  house. 

LYDIA 
The  master — where  is  he — asleep? 

CLODIA 

Asleep. 
Bring  me  my  sable  robe. 

LYDIA 

At  such  an  hour? 
'Tis  not  yet  dawn. 

70 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


CLODIA 

We  two  are  going  home. 
Do  quickly  what  I  bid. 

LYDIA 

Ere  he  awakes? 

CLODIA 

[Gazing  fixedly  at  the  door  at  left] 

He  will  awake.     I  see  him  coming.    Go! 

LYDIA 
I  do  not  see  him — where? 

CLODIA 
[Frantically'] 

My  robe — go  quickly! 

There — there,  his  eyes,  his  voice — you  hear 
him? 

LYDIA 
No. 

CLODIA 

He  murmurs — hear !    He  murmurs  in  his  sleep. 
His  lips  are  moving — see ! 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


LYDIA 

[Caressing  her]  I  see  no  one. 

You  dream  again.     Be  still,  else  will  he  wake. 
He  sleeps  so  soundly  now. 

CLODIA 

He  soundly  sleeps. 

My  mind  is  full  of  fancies.    Fetch  my  robe  I 
What  noise  was  that  out  there — out  there? 

LYDIA 

The  wind. 
CLODIA 

It  sounded  like  a  noise  from  human  lips. 
Hear — hear  the  voices;  all  the  house  is  roused! 
I  hear  a  rush  of  maddened  slaves. 

LYDIA 

Be  calm, 
The  house  is  still. 

CLODIA 

Run,  Lydia,  run,  run! 

Make  clear  the  passage,  beat  them  back,  go,  go ! 
My  robe — run  quickly — fetch  my  robe ! 

72 


THE  WIFE  OF  MAROBIUS 


LYDIA 

[Hurries  off  at  right'} 

I  go. 

CLODIA 

[Calling  wildly  after  her] 

Bring   slaves — bring   litter-slaves   to    bear   us 

hence     .... 
[Sinks  to  the  floor] 
[MAROBius,    bleeding,    raises   himself   in    the 

doorway  at  left.     He  walks  falteringly  to 

where  CLODIA  lies,  takes  her  up  in  his  arms. 

and  lays  her  gently  on  the  couch] 


CURTAIN 


73 


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